Announcement

**Unregistered** · 09-16-2020, 06:24 PM

Preseason Best XI
The below group is organized in a 3-4-3 formation to maximize available talent across the CIAC. From there, we�ve also included a bench to account for top players that narrowly missed the cut.

At goalkeeper we have Bristol Eastern senior Nate DiLoreto, who recently verbally committed to Hartford for the Class of 2021. He also competes for FSA in the Boys ECNL, and then on defense there�s Trumbull senior Carrigan Cullinan, Conard senior Jude Sargent and Staples senior Surya Balaji. All three are consistent, dependable center backs who are great in 1-v-1 situations, can distribute upfield and provide leadership/communication that�s vital along the backline.

Moving into midfield, we have Hall senior Drew Seguro, Glastonbury senior Zach Gardner, Greenwich junior Joao Pedro Lima and Farmington senior David Coello. Seguro is a creative, shifty midfielder; Garner provides more stability at the base; and Coello provides some attacking drive up the spine. Lima also competes for Beachside�s U-19 MLS NEXT team, so that�s something worth flagging.

Daniel Hand forward Scott Testori is one of Connecticut�s top returning players. (Courtesy photo)
Narrowing this down to three starting forwards proved difficult, though Daniel Hand senior Scott Testori is an obvious choice. The All-American standout boasts a school-record 58 career goals, and can also feature as an attacking midfielder. Beyond Testori, we�re going with Litchfield senior Timothy Donovan (Colgate commit). He also took home All-American honors in 2019 and owns a program-record 78 goals at the Class C program. For one more forward, we have Hall senior Evan Jones. A Class of 2021 verbal commit to Holy Cross, Jones is an outstanding No. 9 who can also feature out wide.

FULL XI � DiLoreto � Sargent, Balaji, Cullinan � Seguro, Gardner, Lima, Coello � Testori, Donovan, Jones

BENCH � Our bench notables start up top, since East Hartford senior Emmanuel Ofori, Stonington junior Samuel Montalto, Wilton senior Nate Bennett and Conard senior Justin Rivas (Hartford commit) are all dynamic players. Ofori narrowly missed a starting spot; Montalto had 33 goals last year as Stonington won the Class M title; Bennett returned to high school from FC Westchester and led Wilton to the Class L final; and Rivas always has tricks up his sleeve.

ADVERTISEMENT

Beyond that group, we�d be remiss not to include Plainville senior Pat Gryczewski (Hartford commit; AM/FW) after he scored 19 goals and dished out five assists in 2019. Same goes for Pomperaug senior Jaden Finkel-Hozer after his All-New England season in 2019. The midfield group includes Joel Barlow senior Max Baer, Farmington senior Logan Brennan, Fairfield Ludlowe senior Calum Crawford and Ledyard junior Nick Washington. For one note: Washington had 23 goals and 10 assists as a sophomore, and should be a premier Class M player. Capable of playing in midfield or defense, we also have Bacon Academy senior Ty Stanchina and Farmington junior Caden Gallagher. There�s even Foran senior Ben Carlson, a First Team All-SCC center back last year.

Five Notable Teams
connecticut soccer daniel handDaniel Hand (15-1-4 last year) � The Tigers have arguably the CIAC�s top player in senior forward Scott Testori, and they�re coming off their fourth straight Class L championship. Like clockwork, head coach Greg Cumpstone�s team should again push the envelope as Testori emerges from his All-American season. Keep an eye out for senior defender Christopher Porte and senior midfielder Jack Wilderman, too, reflecting how this isn�t a one-player team. Testori�s 24 goals and 16 assists from 2019 sure help, though.

connecticut soccer farmingtonFarmington (14-4-1 last year) � Fresh off a loss against Greenwich in the Class LL semifinals, Farmington returns a top roster that means business. The headliners in the senior class are center mid Logan Brennan and forward David Coello, who combined for 17 goals and 12 assists last season. Then there�s junior Caden Gallagher, a jack-of-all-trades player who�s also shined in the Boys ECNL and has Division I potential. For a few more, keep an eye out for junior defender Ben Cosentino, senior defensive midfielder Walter Scudder and senior forward Finn Murphy. We could keep going, but the point remains: Farmington is one of the CIAC�s most formidable teams.

connecticut soccer glastonburyGlastonbury (15-2-1 last year) � Head coach Mark Landers� group is always challenging for Class LL bragging rights, though this year requires a couple key adjustments. Chief among them are finding final-third solutions now that forward Alec Hughes is at UMass (29 goals as a senior) and senior defender Pat Sullivan joins Oakwood�s U-19 MLS NEXT team. Beyond that, Glastonbury will be led by senior midfielder Zach Gardner, a Division I-level prospect, and senior defender Matt Guasta. They�re both captaining the side, while senior midfielder William Croce is another *****pin.

connecticut soccer hallHall (18-1-2 last year) � The defending Class LL champions return several key starters from their 2019 group, including senior forward Evan Jones (Holy Cross commit). He had 25 goals and 16 assists a season ago to earn All-State honors, while senior midfielder Drew Seguro posted 19 goals and 17 assists last fall. For another standout, senior midfielder Jamie Cowan (eight goals, five assists in 2019) balances out a strong leadership group that makes Hall a formidable group. That trio all competes for the same FSA ECNL team.

connecticut soccer staplesStaples (11-6-4 last year)� Year in and year out, Staples is one of the CIAC�s top programs. Things should be no different in 2020 for the Wreckers, who are led by co-captains Surya Balaji and Jack Douglas. Balaji is a no-nonsense center back, while Douglas is an ever-steady midfielder who�s coming off a season-ending ACL injury. Another key midfielder is Haydn Siroka, while forwards George Smith and Alan Fiore provide a consistent final-third threat. In all, Staples can go toe-to-toe with the best of �em.

**Unregistered** · 09-16-2020, 06:27 PM

Pretty obvious that reporter has Zeke on speed dial. Makes me laugh every time he promotes his kid. Did he even start last year at ECNL? There some legit players in this state that get zero coverage. Shame really. I think that reporter needs to call a few more coaches. And before you all criticize, my kid has been mentioned so give it a rest.

**Unregistered** · 09-16-2020, 06:32 PM